In Photos: Natural Curiosities Series 2

Looking good! Browse through some photos of the bigger and better second series of David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities.

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Attenborough and a Komodo Dragon

EPISODE 1 - VIRGIN BIRTH

Sir David Attenborough sits in London Zoo's Komodo dragon enclosure, in front of one of their fascinating lizards. Komodo dragons are able to give birth via a process called parthenogenesis, a strategy that has helped them colonise Indonesian islands.

Photo by Jonathan Ford ®UKTV

Attenborough and a Giant Leaf Insect

EPISODE 1 - VIRGIN BIRTH

Sir David Attenborough holding a giant leaf insect, which you would be forgiven for confusing with a humble leaf. Along with aphids, female stick insects are able to give birth to young without the need for males, holding several generations inside their bodies like miniature Russian dolls.

Photo by Stephen Dunleavy ®Humble Bee

Attenborough and a Hedgehog

EPISODE 2 - ARMOURED ANIMALS

Sir David Attenborough holds a Eurasian hedgehog careful to not get too badly prickled by the hedgehog's spiky coat - perfect as a predator deterrent.

Photo by Stephen Dunleavy ®Humble Bee

Attenborough and an Indian Rhino

EPISODE 2 - ARMOURED ANIMALS

Sir David Attenborough interacts with an Indian rhinoceros at a zoo - rhinos are renowned for their thick plate-like skin and it turns out our original perception of this animal did indeed include elaborate reproductions, complete with armour.

Photo by Hilary Jeffkins ®Humble Bee

Attenborough and a Tawny Owl

EPISODE 3 - LIFE IN THE DARK

Sir David Attenborough strokes a tawny owl, part of a group of birds which have the seemingly impossible ability to turn their head almost all the way around.

Photo by Stephen Dunleavy ®Humble Bee

Kraken

EPISODE 3 - LIFE IN THE DARK

A Kraken or Giant Octopus depicted by Pierre Denys de Montfort may have been inspired by Giant Squid.

Photo ®Humble Bee Films

Attenborough Filming Warblers

EPISODE 4 - CURIOUS IMPOSTORS

Sir David Attenborough on location filming cuckoos and reed warblers in amongst a reed bed.

Photo by Sharmila Choudhury ®Humble Bee Films

Attenborough and Hawkmoths

EPISODE 4 - CURIOUS IMPOSTORS

Sir David Attenborough with a collection of death's head hawkmoths. These insects were once feared across Europe for their patterning and eerie squeak.

Photo by Stephen Dunleavy ®Humble Bee Films

Attenborough and Guy the Gorilla

EPISODE 5 - BAD REPUTATIONS

Sir David Attenborough at ZSL London Zoo standing with a statue of Guy the Gorilla.

Photo by Jonathan Ford ®UKTV

Vampire Bat

EPISODE 5 - BAD REPUTATIONS

Surprisingly, vampire bats are very caring creatures and often share their nights haul in blood.

Photo by Patricia Fogden ®Corbis

Attenborough and Plant Senses

EPISODE 6 - SHOCKING SENSES

Can plants hear? Sir David Attenborough listens in on the sounds made by plant roots as they grow.

Photo by Stephen Dunleavy ®Humble Bee Films

Electric Eel

EPISODE 6 - SHOCKING SENSES

Electric eels have helped science to harness the power of electricity, inspiring some of the greatest minds in history.

Photo by Mark Bowler ®Corbis

Attenborough and King Penguins

EPISODE 7 - LIFE ON ICE

Sir David Attenborough with a group of king penguins, which are similar yet smaller to emperor penguins.

Photo by Stephen Dunleavy ®Humble Bee Films

Wood Frog

EPISODE 7 - LIFE ON ICE

The North American wood frog can freeze solid during the depths of winter before thawing again in the spring.

Photo by Tim Shepherd ®Humble Bee Films

Attenborough and Bird Nest

EPISODE 8 - SPINNERS AND WEAVERS

Sir David Attenborough with an intricate nest built by a long-tailed tit, although perhaps not as beautiful as a weaver bird nest, the true kings of nest building.

Photo By Stephen Dunleavy ®Humble Bee Films

Attenborough and Silk

EPISODE 8 - SPINNERS AND WEAVERS

Sir David Attenborough sits with some artefacts from the history of silk production at the Macclesfield Silk Museum.

Photo by Stephen Dunleavy ®Humble Bee FIlms

Attenborough and a Seahorse

EPISODE 9 - STRANGE PARENTS

Sir David Attenborough with a seahorse in a tank at ZSL London Zoo.

Photo by Jonathan Ford ®UKTV

Spotted Hyaenas

EPISODE 9 - STRANGE PARENTS

Spotted hyaena mother with her cub. Hyaena mothers looking after their cubs could be the reason for their female-dominated society.

Photo by Uwe Skrzypczak ®Corbis

Attenborough and a Butterfly

EPISODE 10 - MAGICAL APPEARANCES

Sir David Attenborough with a giant owl butterfly. Understanding the relationship between caterpillars and adult butterflies explained the historical confusion as to where butterflies appear from.

Photo by Stephen Dunleavy ®Humble Bee Films

Attenborough and a Swallow

EPISODE 10 - MAGICAL APPEARANCES

Sir David Attenborough holds a ringed swallow in his hand. Did swallows hibernate under water during the winter? It took many years to understand the true story of animal migration.